Natural Elements Horsemanship

06/20/2025

Hot today! 90°f (32+c)
so we sat in the shade.

Clear, consistent,effective communication in context (our social interaction and conduct) is the foundation of any training …or should be.

Building terms that the animal and I can define and interpret mutually is the key of building/defining our communication. . I project meaning, (direction, energy, impulsion) via my body language, (position relative to the animal, posture, proximity and energy). This is in part what I mean with reference to context. The horse or mule speaks body language/presentation. (Both, from the ground and from the seat)

If I’m having an issue with my animal…not getting what I’m asking…the first thing I do is check myself.
-Am I sending a clear message?
-Am I inconsistent with my cues?
-Am I sending too much energy without a clear cue?

If I’m making a proper presentation then my attention goes to the animal.
Is it engaged with me? Is it asking a question (thought bubble)?

Then comes the process of supporting the thought with enough direction and energy to see the follow through. When we do this consistently…we build our language from words to phrases or sentences that have the same meaning for both parties.

Don’t blame the animal for not reading your mind. Check your presentation. If we want our animals to be consistent…what must WE be?

06/09/2025

Done for the day..
Quiet, peaceful and a hundred percent content.

06/08/2025

“I get a peaceful, easy feel’in”.

06/07/2025

A little smile. “Please”, “thank you” and the ability to be able to chuckle at yourself or at a situation…

Goes a long way with ALL those around you.

06/06/2025

Response to a question.

06/05/2025

Some practical advice.

06/05/2025

The simple pleasures.
Riding a mule or horse gives a perspective totally different from any other. A pace slow enough and a view high enough to appreciate a pallet of color. Queen Anne’s Lace, Black-eyed Susan’s and fleabane are showing their colors along our dirt road. Lots of milkweed and yarrow in full glory, too. Won’t be long, the coneflowers will be adding to the pics.

05/24/2025

So true. The key is…understanding.
That goes BOTH ways. The human must understand the horse. Pay attention. Look for the thought bubble. The mind, the thought.…not just moving feet.
“Understanding” is not a one-time thing but develops as our communication level does.

Listen to learn…not to react. Don’t shout. Don’t misplace volume or energy for effectiveness.

I tend more toward “draw and support” rather than pressure and release. Hits a totally different part of the mind. Engages the mind first…then, thoughtful motion or response.

Mules are exponentially affected by our thoughts and deeds…both good and bad.
Careful. Like children, they’re watching and WILL reflect their, “upbringing”.

05/20/2025

A good article about a difficult decision.

Caring for horses comes with a responsibility for making hard decisions on their behalf, and the hardest is when to end their life.

05/16/2025

Our morning view.
Life is good…

05/14/2025

First time riding Sylamore National Forest. Trooper and I went with some friends and rode to two different stretches (a few hollers apart) of the Sylamore Creek. Some fairly steep, tough riding in stretches. Trooper lived up to his name!
So pleased with the mind and work ethic of this mule. We rode 10.6 miles.

Sociable but not needy, lead or drag…good steady ride even when we encountered our first rattler. (Nobody got excited…we took some pics and walked around it. About 3’ long and eating well.

Good people, fair weather and long ears made for quite a day.